But, of course, it is at Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, that Wilkins’ death at the age of 61 will be mourned more than anywhere else.

In truth, the real measure of the esteem in which real football fans held “Butch” was clear only last Sunday.

To say the hostility between Chelsea and Spurs fans is brutal is an understatement. The two clubs loathe each other.

But when Wilkins’ face was displayed on the giants screens at the Bridge before kick-off, with prayers and good wishes offered for his recovery from the coma into which he had been induced, both sets of supporters had the same, immediate and genuine response.

Ray Wilkins' playing career

1973-79 Chelsea

1979-84 Manchester United

1984-87 AC Milan

1987 Paris Saint-Germain

1987-89 Rangers

1989-1994 QPR

1994 Crystal Palace

1994-96 QPR

1996 Wycombe Wanderers

1996-1997 Hibernian

1997 Millwall

1997 Leyton Orient

1976-1986 England - 84 caps (three goals)

RIP Ray WilkinsAlways so humble & softly spoken whenever I saw him.Genuine lovely guy.Watched him live at Loftus road many times for QPR. What a great passer & teacher of the game for any young kids who watched him pic.twitter.com/4wprZwXiuC

But those who knew Wilkins, as a player, a coach, a manager, a pundit or a friend, will always recall him with a smile.

Loyal to a fault - he never said a word about Carlo Ancelotti, even after the Italian stood back and did not intervene when Wilkins was summarily sacked by Chelsea just months after the club had won the Double in 2010.

And a man who always had time for real football fans.

A couple of years ago, I was contacted by someone who said they wanted to thank Ray.

Deeply saddened to hear that Ray Wilkins has passed away. A wonderful footballer and a delightful man. It was a pleasure to have played alongside him with England. No teammate was more helpful and supportive. I’ll be forever grateful. Thoughts are with his family. #RIPRay